Knock-down type of portable bench

ABSTRACT

A bench top piece and three J-shaped legs releasably attached to the top piece, for supporting the top piece in the setup position, and for compact assembly with the top piece in the knock-down position. A brace swingably connects to the top piece and supports two of the legs by connecting thereto, and a handle swingably connects to the top piece and also connects to the third leg to support the leg. The upper ends of the legs, and the brace and handle, all serve to reinforce the strength of the top piece, by extending along and being connected to the top piece. Clamps are bolted to the top piece for securing the legs, brace, and handle to the top piece in both the setup and knock-down positions.

United States Patent FORElGN PATENTS 537,493 5/l955 Belgium PrimaryExaminer.lames C. Mitchell AI10rne \-Arthur .l. Hansmann I ABSTRACT: Abench top piece and three J-shaped legs releasably attached to the toppiece, for supporting the top piece in the setup position, and forcompact assembly with the top piece in the knock-down position. A braceswingably connects to the top piece and supports two of the legs byconnecting thereto, and a handle swingably connects to the top piece andalso connects to the third leg to support the leg. The upper ends of thelegs, and the brace and handle, all serve to reinforce the strength ofthe top piece, by extending along and being connected to thetop piece.Clamps are bolted to the top piece for securing the legs, brace, andhandle to the top piece in both the setup and knock-down positions,

KNOCK-DOWN TYPE OF PORTABLE BENCH This invention relates to a knock'downtype of portable bench or table. More particularly, it relates to abench or table which is readily and easily set up in the normalsupporting position, and which is easily disassembled and placed into acompact portable position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Knock-clown and portable type of benches ortables are already known and already exist in many different forms andstructures. The prior art contains examples of knock-down and portabletype tables or benches which include bench tops and supporting legswhich can be swung or disassembled relative to the top and positioned incompact relationship with the top for portability of the assembly.Further, these prior art knock-down type of tables commonly utilize acarrying handle which further facilitates the versatility of the tablein the ease of carrying the table.

However, the prior art tables are not of a sturdy construction, and theyare commonly not easily set up or placed in the knocked down conditionif and when they are made of a sturdy construction. Still further, theprior art tables are ofa complex arrangement of pieces, both from amanufacturing stand point and from a standpoint of setting up thetableand also disassembling the table for the portable or knock-downposition.

A particular use of the table of the present invention is in hunting,and the table or bench of the present invention is therefore useful as ahunter's bench rest. With regard to the prior art in bench rests forhunting, it is well known that the bench must be of the utmost stabilityso that there will be complete stable support for the hunter's arms andelbows when in the gun or rifle shooting position resting upon the benchtop. In rifle or shooting ranges, these benches are preferably made ofblocks of concrete so that the required stability is provided. Of coursethe problem and impracticality of providing a concrete type of benchrest of a portable nature are obvious, Therefore, it is an object ofthis invention to provide a sturdy and yet simplified knock-down type ofportable bench or table, and particularly one that can be used by ahunter.

A further object of this invention is to provide a knockdown type ofportable bench or table which is lightweight, inexpensive tomanufacture, can be readily and easily placed in both the setup andknock-down positions, and which provides a carrying handle. Morespecifically, with regard to the carrying handle, the table or bench ofthis-invention is arranged so that the handle serves the dual purpose ofbeing a structural support piece in the table setup position and thehandle is also ofa grip or carrying piece when the assembly is in theportable .position.

Still further, it is an object of this invention to provide a knock-downtype of portable table or bench wherein the supporting legs, brace, andhandle, are all secured to each other and are also all secured to atable top in a manner wherein the pieces mentioned structurallyreinforce the strength of the table top. In accomplishing this object,the table top can then be made ofa lightweight and relatively thinmaterial, and even wood material can be used for the top, while the topis ofa stability and strength adequate for optimum steady support of thehunter's arms, or while the top is of sufiicient strength and stabilityto support other objects and be used in other respects.

Still further, it is an object of this invention to provide a knock downtype of portable table or bench which utilizes only a minimum number ofparts, and some of these parts are made of identical material, and thesupporting legs are preferably all identical in construction, and theentire table or bench can be readily and easily repaired or have partsreplaced, if such repair or replacement would ever become necessary.

Still further, an object of this invention is to provide a simplitiedand sturdy knock-down type of portable table or bench wherein thesupporting legs are of identical construction and are arranged toreinforce the strength. of the table top and are also arranged so thatthe legs are all interchangeable and are therefore capable of beingpositioned in any leg position in the assembly. In accomplishing thisobject, the manufacture of the assembly is simplified, and the setup ofthe table is also simplified since the user does not have to followidentification marks or location marks for placing a specific leg in aspecific location with respect to the bench or table top.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading thefollowing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view ofa preferred embodi ment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of FIG. 1, but showing the tabletipped to reveal the structure underneath the top piece.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the assembly in the knock-down or portablecondition.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of a fragment of one of therear legs and a fragment of the brace connected thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A top piece 10 is shownto be of a. planar and rectangular shape, and it may be made of a woodmaterial, since the underneath, to be described later, is arranged withthe top piece 10, to adequately strengthen and support the piece, ashereinafter described. The bench or table is shown to have two rear legs11 and 12 and one front leg 13. All of the legs are .I-shaped, and havethe long portion or extent 14 and the short portion or extent 16, joinedby an intermediately located curved or bent portion 17. Thus the legsform the letter J in the inverted position. Also, it will be noted thatthe leg lower ends 18 all have a vertical or upright portion for thepurpose of extending perpendicular to the ground or floor on which thetable is being supported. The portions 18 therefore prevent the legs 11,12, and 13 from spreading outwardly under great weight on the table top10. That is, it will be seen that the portions 14 of each of the legsll, 12, and 13 extend outwardly from the top piece 10, but the leg endof portions 18 extend in the vertical orientation, for the purposementioned, and the arrangement gives the desired strength and stabilityto the entire assembly in the setup condition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The underneath surface 19 of the top 10 is shown to have 10 clamps 21secured thereto, and the clamps 21 function in pairs so that two clamps21 secure each of the three legs, as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 also showsthat the assembly includes a U- shaped brace 22 and a U-shaped handle23. Two ofthe clamps 21 secure the brace 22 to the top piece 10, and twoof the clamps 21 secure the handle 23 to the top piece 10.

Bolts 24 extend through adequately provided holes in each ofthe legs l1,l2, and 13, and the bolts extend further through the respective brace 22or handle 23, for the combining of the respective pieces, as shown inFIG. 2. Wing nuts 26 are on the bolts 24 for ready and easy tighteningof the bolts 24 to the legs ll, 12, and 13, as shown.

At this time, it will then be seen and mentioned that each of the legs11, 12, and I3 is provided with a hole 27 which receives the respectivebolt 24, as identified in FIG. 5. Each of the three legs 11, 12, and 13has its hole 27 in the identical orientation from leg to leg, so thateach of the three legs 11, 12, and 13 is interchangeable with each ofthe other three legs 11, I2, and 13. That is, either one of the two backlegs 11 and 12 could also be used as the front leg 13, and the boltingshown and described would be completely adequate for connection of thelegs with either the brace 22 of the handle 23. Of course the brace 22,being U-shaped, includes its intermediate portion 28 and its two legs orend portions 29. Also, the brace 22 has a bolt hole 31 on each end, andthe handle 23 has a bolt hole 32. The bolt holes 31 and 32 receive therespective bolts 24, and the bolt holes 31 and 32 of course are orientedto align with the bolt holes 27 on the respective legs 11,12, and 13.

Again observing P16. 2, it will now be seen that the leg portions 16extend in line contact or snug and extended contact with the undersurface 19 of the top piece 10. This provides a structural reinforcementand support for the top 10, and the portions 16 extend in the optimumdirections for complete support of the top 10, and for stability, andfor complete reinforcement to the strength of the top 10. Thus theportion 16 of the back legs 11 and 12 extend angularly inwardly withrespect to the top 10, and the portion 16 of the front leg 13 extendscentrally to the rear of the top 10. Still further, FIG. 2 shows thatthe brace portion 28 extends along the rear edge 33 of the top 10, forsupport and reinforcement of the edge 33. Still further, the handle 23has its end portions 34 spaced apart and in line contact and snugcontact with the under surface 19 of the top 10. Further, the handleends 34 are along the front edge 36 of the top 10. The handle ends 34are thus spaced apart and provide optimum reinforcement for thestability and strength of the top 10.

P10. 3 shows the assembly in the knocked down and portable position, andit will here be understood that the handle 23 has been swung to aposition parallel to the top plane of the top piece 10. Also, it will beunderstood that the legs 11, 12, and 13, and the brace 22, are allpositioned in extended con tact with the bottom surface 19, also thatthe knocked down assembly is ofa minimum thickness and all parts aredisposed in the parallel position with respect to the plane of the toppiece 10. Still further, the clamps 21 provide for the swingableconnection of the handle 23 and of the brace 22 with respect to the toppiece 10. This permits the handle 23 and brace 22 to be readily andeasily swung between their setup and knockdown positions, as shown, andwhen the attaching clamps 21 are loosened to permit the swinging actionmentioned.

The clamps 21 which secure the three legs to the top piece can also beloosened to permit removal of the legs 11, 12, and 13 from the top piece10, and the leg clamps 21 are then used to secure the legs in theknock-down position shown in FIG. 3. With this arrangement, virtuallyall of the parts are used in the setup and in the knock-down positions.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the clamp 21 which is shown to beholding the handle end 34. A bolt 37 extends through the clamp 21 andinto a T-nut 38 which is imbedded in the top piece 10. The T-nut 38 hasa flange 39 with prongs 41 which are imbedded in the top piece 10 sothat the T-nut 38 is secured to the piece 10. However, the T-nut 38 canbe easily removed from the top 10 by simply prying or tapping itupwardly as seen in FIG. 4 and out of the top 10, if replacement of theT-nut 38 were ever necessary. Of course loosening the bolt 37 willpermit the assembly, swinging, or other attachment of the various piecesto the top 10.

P10. 5 shows the side elevational view of the bend portion 17 of therear leg 11, and it also shows the relationship of the brace end 29. Itwill thus be seen and understood that the three legs can have theidentical structure and the identical orientation of the holes 27, andany one leg will have its hole 27 align with the respective bolt hole onthe brace 22 and on the handle 23, for the leg interchangeabilitymentioned. Further, the brace 22 has its very end 42 flattened so thatthe brace end 42 extends along the surface of the leg 11 or 12, and thebrace 22 also has its transition portion 43 in snug abutment with thelegs 11 and 12, for further structural support of the legs 11 and 12 andthrough the brace 22.

It will therefore be understood that there is provided a knock-down typeof portable bench which has releasable attachment means 21 connectingthe legs and the handle and the brace to the top iece 10. Further, thereleasable attachment means in the orm of the clamps 21 have the releaseand resecurable means in the form of the bolt 37 and nut 38, whichlatter said means provide for the transition and connection of therespective pieces in the setup and in the knockdown positions. It willbe further mentioned that in changing the pieces from the setupcondition to the knock-down condition, the clamps 21 need not be fullyremoved from the top 10, and they need only be loosened through theloosening of the bolt 37, and the legs 11, 12, and 13 can then beslipped out of the clamps 21 which hold the legs in the setup condition,and, the legs 11, 12, and 13 can then also be slipped into the clamps 21when the three legs are in the knocked down condition shown in FIG. 3.This is all possible and easily accomplished when the legs 11, 12, and13 are made ofa tubing material and are bent on a forming die whichpermits the bending of the legs without upsetting the circular crosssection of the legs through the bend 17. It will further be understoodthat all of the supporting pieces under the top 10 can be made of thesame tubing material, and they can all be bent into the shapes shown, sothat there is uniformity in material and ease of manufacture and ease ofhandling the various parts in changing from the setup and knock-downpositions.

What I claim is:

1. A knock-down type of portable bench, comprising a bench toppiece, aplurality of legs having connection holes therein, a U-shaped handle, abrace, releasable attachment means connecting said legs and said handleand said brace to said bench top piece in a supporting position, saidbrace extending into contact with two of said legs, said handleextending into contact with at least one of said legs other than saidtwo legs and at a point spaced from said bench top piece, said handlehaving legs extending from said contact point and to spaced-apartlocations of abutment with said bench top piece and being releasablysecured to said bench top piece by said releasable attachment means forreinforcing the strength of said bench top piece, bolt means extendingthrough all said leg connection holes and being releasably connected tosaid brace and said handle, and said releasable attachment means havingrelease and resecurable means for releasing said legs and said handleand said brace from said supporting position with said bench top pieceand for resecuring said legs and said handle and said brace in aknocked-down portable position with said bench top piece.

2. The portable bench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle isswingably attached to said bench top piece for swing ing on saidattachment means and between said supporting position of connection withsaid one leg and said knockeddown portable position.

3. The portable bench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said legs areidentical in structure and said connection holes are identicallyoriented among said legs.

4. The portable bench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said brace isU-shaped and has two legs for the contact with said legs of said bench,and with said brace having an intermediate straight length extending inline contact with said bench top piece to be in reinforcing support withsaid bench top piece.

5. The portable bench as claimed in claim 4, wherein said brace isswingably attached to said bench top piece at said intermediate straightstrength of said brace for swinging said brace on said attachment meansand between said supporting position of connection with said two legsand said knockeddown portable position.

6. The portable bench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said legs areJ-shaped to each have one end extend in line contact with said bench toppiece and to each have the other end extend away from said bench toppiece, for respective reinforcing and elevational support of said benchtop piece.

7. The portable bench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said release andsaid resecurable means consist of T-nuts and bolts, and with said T-nutsbeing imbedded in said bench top piece.

@3 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,589,311 Dated J ne 29, 1211 Inventor) Richard T. Medlen It iscertified that errorappears in the above-identified patent and that saidLetters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 1, line 2, correct "toppiece" to top piece--;

" 5, 3, change "strength" to --length--.

Signed and sealed this 21 st day of December 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSGHALK Acting Commissioner of PatentsAttesting Officer

1. A knock-down type of portable bench, comprising a bench toppiece, aplurality of legs having connection holes therein, a U-shaped handle, abrace, releasable attachment means connecting said legs and said handleand said brace to said bench top piece in a supporting position, saidbrace extending into contact with two of said legs, said handleextending into contact with at least one of said legs other than saidtwo legs and at a point spaced from said bench top piece, said handlehaving legs extending from said contact point and to spaced-apartlocations of abutment with said bench top piece and being releasablysecured to said bench top piece by said releasable attachment means forreinforcing the strength of said bench top piece, bolt means extendingthrough all said leg connection holes and being releasably connected tosaid brace and said handle, and said releasable attachment means havingrelease and resecurable means for releasing said legs and said handleand said brace from said supporting position with said bench top pieceand for resecuring said legs and said handle and said brace in aknocked-down portable position with said bench top piece.
 2. Theportable bench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle is swingablyattached to said bench top piece for swinging on said attachment meansand between said supporting position of connection with said one leg Andsaid knocked-down portable position.
 3. The portable bench as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said legs are identical in structure and saidconnection holes are identically oriented among said legs.
 4. Theportable bench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said brace is U-shaped andhas two legs for the contact with said legs of said bench, and with saidbrace having an intermediate straight length extending in line contactwith said bench top piece to be in reinforcing support with said benchtop piece.
 5. The portable bench as claimed in claim 4, wherein saidbrace is swingably attached to said bench top piece at said intermediatestraight strength of said brace for swinging said brace on saidattachment means and between said supporting position of connection withsaid two legs and said knocked-down portable position.
 6. The portablebench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said legs are J-shaped to each haveone end extend in line contact with said bench top piece and to eachhave the other end extend away from said bench top piece, for respectivereinforcing and elevational support of said bench top piece.
 7. Theportable bench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said release and saidresecurable means consist of T-nuts and bolts, and with said T-nutsbeing imbedded in said bench top piece.